Photo courtesy The Bay Sarasota Facebook page.

A community park is a great treasure for any-sized metropolis. These green spaces offer a natural respite from the pace of city life and a place for people to come together to enjoy activities with loved ones and the chance to make new friends. 

Parks are a tremendous boon: an overwhelming majority of U.S. adults—87%—say it is important for people to have fair and just access to high-quality park and recreation programs that create healthy, resilient, and economically vibrant communities, according to the National Recreation and Park Association. For this reason, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, in partnership with an anonymous donor, committed $1 million to support the Bay Park Conservancy’s free and accessible programming and uphold the entity’s commitment to create “One Park for All.”

Situated on 53 waterfront acres, The Bay is a location that welcomes all and boasts a calendar brimming with enticing options for entertainment, connection and exploration. 

This month marks The Bay’s first anniversary, and to celebrate, the park will host a festive five-day jubilee, The Bay Turns One!,  featuring non-stop events that promise the joys of community.  In addition to regularly scheduled favorites like nature walks, guided kayak and paddleboard tours and yoga, The Bay Turns One! has packed evenings with exciting entertainment. From energetic DJed dance parties like ¡Bailando For All! to concerts featuring sizzling artists, both local and those from beloved household names like Journey, the calendar of events has something for everyone.  

All are welcome to register for these events online, free of charge, and take part in the festivities to experience The Bay, our magnificent coastal surroundings and our diverse and unique community. I encourage you to take part in these activities, or to plan your own visit. By offering the space and time for everyone to come together, The Bay unites our community, instilling a sense of belonging for all. In this, The Bay provides an asset that is becoming more and more rare: common ground.  

Roxie Jerde is president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Photo courtesy The Bay Sarasota Facebook page.